Switch and fuse mounting



Nw. 3,1925. I1,559,580

T. E. MURRAY, JR

SWITCH AND FUSE MOUNTING Filed Jan. 6, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet .L

TTORNEY Nov. 3, 1925. 1,559,580

T. E. MURRAY, JR

SWITCH AND FUSE MOUNTING Filed Jan. 6, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

INVENTOR .75 magM/rn/J:

.4 TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES THOMAS E. MURRAY, JB., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SWITCH AND FUSE MOUNTING.

Application filed `fanuary 6, 1923.

Y 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS E. MURRAY, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch and Fuse Mountings, of which the following is a specification.

In certain prior applications 1 have described boxes and mounts particularly designed for the switches and fuses generally used at the entrance of electric service lines into a house and designed to make the fuse terminals accessible to the householder or at least to make it possible for him to change the fuses, but to do this only when the switch is open so that no current can be stolen from the fuse terminals and so that the person inserting a new fuse is not apt to be injured. Y My present invention relates to apparatus of the same general character, in which the desired objects are obtained by a simple construction in which the fuse socket is not carried in the same box with the switch terminals, but is carried Wholly or substantially outside of such parts; and in which the construction is distinguished in other ways referred to more fully hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings illustrate two embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a box of one type showing the switch open, the plane of section being indicated by theI line 1 1, Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts-.in section on thc line 2-2, Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the complete apparatus partly in section and with part of the cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section, on the line 1i-4, Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a diagram in plan illustrating the connections and certain alternatives.

The invention may be applied to various arrangements of terminals, switches, etc. According to Fig. 5, two main wires enter by way of terminals 1 and 2, whence the current passes through switch blades 3 and L1Y pivoted on terminals 5 and 6 to coils 7 and 8 of a meter; thence by fixed terminals 9 and 10 through fuses hereinafter referred to and out by way of terminals 11 and 12 to the house Wires. rPhe two switch blades 3 and fi are connected together by means of a cross bar 13 which carries an arm 14 by which the switch is opened or closed.

Serial No. 611,022.

The fixed terminals and switch supports are mounted on a base 15 of porcelain or non-conducting material of rectangular out line. At each side or" this base a lateral projcction 16 (Figs. 4 and 5) is formed to carry the fuse sockets. As shown in Fig. 11 these projections carry at their outer ends upwardly projecting porcelain casings 17 in which are the fuse terminals. These terminals are shown of a common design comprising a threaded shell 18 fastened to the base by a central screw or rivet 19, eachof these parts being of conducting material but being insulated "from eachother.v A' fuse-20 when screwed into the socket makescontact with the parts 18 and 19 separately and carries a fusible element whichforms a connection between these parts..

The base 15 and the extensions 16 thereof are grooved on the top and bottom to accommodate the bars 10 and 12 respectively, the latter extending out'to points beneath the fuse socket where one ot' them is fastened in contact with the shell'18 and the other with the central 'contact 19. In this way the current passes through the fuse or is interrupted if the fuse burns out. The same arrangement is shownyat the opposite side between the terminals 9 and 11.

The switches and switch terminals are carried in a box 21 of sheet metal on the bottom 22 of which the porcelain base 15 is fixed as by means of screws 23. The width of the box 21 is such that its sides extend along the sides of the base 15, as shown best in Fig. 3, except where openings are left for the extensions 16 to pass through the side walls so as to carry the cases or sockets 17 for the fuses outside of the box. After the insertion of the base, with the terminals, attached thereto, the openings in the sides of the box may be closed by plates 24 welded in place.

The box will generally be formed with an opening, Fig. 1, at one end, for making connections with a meter or other apparatus which fits closely against the end of the switch box so as to prevent access thereto. The box is provided also with a cover 25 hinged at its rear edge, having a flange to surround the box and having an elevated portion 26 in the center to permit the turning of the switch blades up as shown in Fig. 1. The flanges of the cover may be used to close the openings in the sides of the box though 1 prefer the separate plates lli) - ..;:Tihe switch arms 31 will generally =so;etliat.the consu'mermay replace-"fuses at fw'ill and isL iprotected .agai'iis't-inj urjyv .when Y doing-so.v The cover- 25-1ofrthe box,-how

24 for.A this .purpose When the-,cover Lis broughltdowj-a opening 27 tliereiniiias'ses over an upwardly projecting ear -28 on the front Wall of thenboxwhich is designed to carry a padlock, v"the key7 'f lwhich is held by the electric. company. 3 p

For manipulating the switch a bent shaft 29 is used having a central arm4 30 enga-gf ing a slot in the switch arm-14 (Fig. 1) and pivoted in the sides of .the box, projecting 'through the .latter and bent on the outside to -forin arms or cranks 31 by which the shafticanbe rocked betweenthe limits set by thestops 32 and 33 (Fig. 2).- Tli'e stops 32 -andi33 areperforated, as shown in Fig. 3, so

that by` means ofia staple or. other connection openor. closed position. v Y.

Each of zthe` arms 31 "carries -a cap 34 :the switch canbeflocked Idesired in'either -zwelded or otherwise' fastened to it at an in- -ter'media'te -po'int and adapted to.cover and prevent; access. to "the'; :tuse .on :the corresponding side 'when the switch 'armst are downin-vtheclos'ed position. .The swinging of: either switchxarm upward uncovers the fuses and moves the capsfout ofthe wayso that either or both 'of ,the uses can be re- .placd But thisY 'cannotv abe done =ntil the switch fanms are moved iupwardfsuicient'ly toro en ..the. switch `and-thus prevent the `initials Whilethe c'urre'nt ison. l, be ree ever, may be, 'and .will rgenerally be, locked down so as to fprevent access "thereto except by the companys authorized agent. Such 'a Aperson will zgenerally .;know :enough to Vlopen the switch Or'saetys sake before touching the Vconnections inside. A However, safety mechanism for requiring Atlie"opening of the switch .before the boxcan be; opened -xilayfbeapplied in any one of various ways ifdesired..

'lFig..5 shows, -in addition to the matters reerred'to above, a pair of-service fuses 34 within the box soas to be 'accessible only -to the company. .These are extra fuses and when used are placed in seriesf with tliecustonie'rs-fuses, 20 and are'geuerally oi larger -czipacityg `so that they will not 'function expany would be able to replace the burned 4fises andfiestbrethe flihef' i This figure also shows the outside wires, thrmain servicewiresA and B and the nentrl wir'e or vbs C; Ialso the wires D and E leading from the fuses to the load indicated at i".

The constructionof my improved mountis greatly simplified as compared with diese hereto .fore -lin. use. singlecompa'rtnient bexwiszused'ivith th'e fusefs'okets on 4the box and thnoiighfitkto tlicmete'rand the -o'iitsule l'line respectivdlyy-/slthat there "is nothing outsidegffzathezbox exceptzfthe inse sockets, and the Iconne'ctixvg platesf'o'rbar's'f are -niost compactly arranged within ftlieb'oir.

switch andf the respective? cstbne'rsl fuses.

Thus, eachiof the service` 34'* fisconline `-leading from the 'meterfto the' load. 'l'liat is, the main fuses 34 aswell as the nected, as'is mo'st'fdesirable,ri'n the-electrical h5.' those skilled in `the' fart Withoutfdeparting from the 'invention 'as detinedin the 1following claims.

What I claim is.

i. The combinationI with .a .metal lbox 'having a cover and carrying within'fita switch,

a support of'insulatingmatri'alonwhich parts of-sa'id switehare'= mounted, said support having extensions beyond the opposite side walls of the box constituting insulating c-.zsings and fuse sockets in said casing in circuit with the terminals of said swith.

2. he combination Witha: metal -box'having a cover andtearrying Within ita'switch, of a support carrying a"switch'coinprising two blades and terminalsadapted for connection to two line Wires and -two'branches of a meter circuit, said support having extensions to points outside of-said boxand constituting insulating'easings, fuse sockets in said casings, additional fuse Sockets Within the box, one of said outside fuse sockets ani-lione of said inside fuse sockets being connected in circuit with terminals `adapted to connect au outgoingY wire of the meter with :i load Wire.

The combination with a box carrying within it a switch, of a support on which parts of the switch are mounted, said support having an extension beyond the outer Wall of the box and said extension carrying a fuse socket in circuit With the switch terminals, the connection from both terminals of the fuse socket passing therefrom into the compartment which contains the switch, and a cover for said fuse socket.

4. The combination with a box carrying within it a switch, having a switch handle extending outside of the box, of a support on which parts of the switch are mounted, Said support having an extension beyond the outer wall of the box and said extension carrying a fuse socket in circuit with the switch terminals, the connection from both terminals of the fuse socket passing therefrom into the compartment which contains the switch, and a cover for said fusesocket,

A which cover is attached to said switch handle.

5. The combination with a box carr ing within it a switch, of a support on W 'ch parts of the switch are mounted said suppoit having an extension beyond the outer wall of the box and said extensioncarrying a fuse socket in circuit with the switch termi nals, the connections from both terminals of the fuse socket passing therefrom into the compartment which contains the switch.

6. The combination with a box, of a base l5 carrying a switch and having lateral projections 16 carrying fuse sockets, the main part of the base being carried in the box und the projections 16 passing tothe outside through openings in the sides of the box, and connecting members from both terminals of each fuse socket extending into the box and carried by the main part of the base adjacent to the switch terminals` In witness whereof, I -have hereunto signed my name.

THOMAS E. MURRAY, J R. 

